A living witness marks America at 250: ‘A Promise Kept, a Promise Owed’
t the Chicago History Museum on July 3, an 84-year-old son of Arkansas sharecroppers traces America’s unfinished promise — from Frederick Douglass to the present day As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07) will host a press conference on Friday, July 3, at the Chicago History Museum, marking the Semiquincentennial with a program that both honors the country’s progress and confronts the promises it has yet to keep. Titled “America at 250: A Promise Kept, a Promise Owed,” the event asks the nation to celebrate and to reckon in the same breath. A Living Witness The framing is...
Read more
Margot James Copeland Named Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient for the 18th Edition of Who’s Who In Black Cleveland
Who’s Who In Black Cleveland is proud to announce that nationally recognized board leader, retired banking executive, and distinguished civic leader Margot James Copeland will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 18th Edition unveiling and networking reception on August 31, 2026, at the InterContinental Cleveland. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and impact have created lasting change in their communities and beyond. Throughout a remarkable career spanning financial services, philanthropy, healthcare, higher education, and community development, Copeland has championed opportunity, strengthened institutions, and helped shape initiatives that have improved lives across Northeast Ohio and throughout the nation. Copeland is the former Chair...
Read more
Chemico Named a 2025 Supplier of the Year by General Motors
By The Allen Lewis Agency General Motors (GM) recognized Chemico as a 2025 Supplier of the Year in the category of Industrialization during GM’s recent 34th annual Supplier of the Year award event in Austin, Texas. During its 37-year tenure as a GM supplier, Chemico has received 16 GM Supplier of the Year awards, including an Overdrive award for above-and-beyond performance in 2023. “Receiving our 16th Supplier of the Year award from General Motors is a tremendous honor,” said Leon C. Richardson, founder, president, and CEO of Chemico. “This achievement reflects the strength of our lasting collaborative partnership with GM and the daily dedication to service,...
Read more
Kenneth N. Wilson Named Introduction Writer for 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus
Real Times Media proudly announces that Kenneth N. Wilson, County Administrator for Franklin County, will serve as the introduction writer for the highly anticipated 20th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus. As the highest unelected official in Franklin County government, Wilson has served as County Administrator since 2015, leading 15 county agencies and more than 1,400 employees. He oversees the County’s annual $2.2 billion budgeting process for 35 agencies, helping ensure Franklin County remains among the nation’s most effective and well-governed communities. A respected public servant and civic leader, Wilson holds a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts...
Read more
Jayne Kennedy Visits Chicago on Book Tour, Reflects on Breaking Barriers, Faith, and Journey in Her New Memoir “Plain Jayne”
Jayne Kennedy, the first Black woman to win Miss Ohio USA in 1970 and the Emmy Award-winning host of CBS’s The NFL Today in 1978, is sharing her extraordinary story of resilience, perseverance, and triumph in her new memoir, Plain Jayne. The trailblazing television personality, actress, producer, entrepreneur, and sports broadcasting pioneer opens about the experiences that shaped her remarkable career and personal journey. In a recent conversation, Kennedy reflected on the journey of writing her memoir, breaking barriers and relying on faith through life’s challenges, and the legacy she hopes to leave for future generations. A Story 25 Years in the Making After attending her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration,...
Read more
Sam’s Club CEO Latriece Watkins becomes one of the most powerful women in business
Just months after taking the helm of Sam’s Club, CEO Latriece Watkins has been recognized by Fortune as one of the world’s most influential business leaders, highlighting a nearly three-decade career that has positioned her at the forefront of one of retail’s largest membership-based chains Watkins, who became president and CEO of Sam’s Club in February 2026, debuted at No. 87 on Fortune’s 2026 Most Powerful Women in Business list, which was released May 27. The annual ranking recognizes women shaping major industries across the global economy. She now oversees a business generating roughly $96 billion in annual revenue and operating 601 locations across the United States. Fortune reports that if Sam’s Club operated as a standalone...
Read more
Oakland County Appoints Oluwatosin Martins Deputy Director of Public Services
By: Jasmine West Oluwatosin Martins, a workforce development leader with experience serving people affected by the criminal justice system, has been appointed deputy director of Oakland County’s Department of Public Services. County Executive Dave Coulter announced the appointment Tuesday, June 23. Martins will help oversee work involving Children’s Village, Pretrial and Justice Services, the Medical Examiner’s Office and Animal Control. Her responsibilities will include supporting the county’s criminal justice programs and helping shape how the department serves residents. “Olu’s extensive background in workforce development and organizational leadership will be a tremendous asset as we continue strengthening the programs and services provided through our Department of Public...
Read more
Claressa Shields is taking her star power south for a high-stakes title fight in Atlanta
Claressa Shields has spent her career making history in boxing rings around the world. On Aug. 15, the Flint native will step into another spotlight when she headlines a championship fight at Atlanta's State Farm Arena, carrying her undefeated record, world titles, and hometown pride into a new chapter of an already remarkable journey. Shields, 18-0 with three knockouts, will face Australia's Kaye Scott for the WBC and WBA middleweight championships in a DAZN main event that places two titleholders on one of boxing's biggest stages. The fight marks Shields' return to the middleweight division, where she authored some of the most memorable moments of her...
Read more
Following Historic Georgia Runoffs, Black women set to make history across November ballot
Following this week's runoff elections, Georgia voters will see an unprecedented number of Black women seeking federal and statewide office this November, reflecting the continued growth of Black women’s political power across the state and solidifying Georgia’s role as a national battleground for democracy. With the field now officially set for November, Black women candidates have secured nominations for some of Georgia’s most influential offices, including Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Public Service Commission, and multiple congressional seats. The results also mark an important milestone in Higher Heights’ She Wins Georgia initiative, a statewide effort launched to support, elevate, and mobilize around Black women candidates running for...
Read more
Detroit Boxer Lance ‘Boogie’ Smith honors his father’s legacy through faith, fight, and focus
Punches don’t sneak up on Lance “Boogie” Smith the way that memories do. Sometimes the memories are tucked inside a workout; sometimes they’re hidden in a decision that requires patience instead of emotion; and sometimes they arrive as a familiar phrase he heard so many times growing up that he stopped paying attention to it until life gave it meaning. His father, Stephan Smith, had a way of doing that. “I remember one time I had a conversation with my dad and I was like, ‘Man, Pops, you’re dropping a lot of gems on me. How am I gonna be able to remember all this?'” Boogie...
Read more